Carlee WrightCatch a (virtual) performance of Les Misérables School Edition February 19-21 as brought to life on stage by Enlightened Theatrics and a cast of local students.
Last year, Enlightened Theatrics pivoted its focus to direct more attention on the theater arts for youth.
“Because of the pandemic, our Board of Directors and Education Committee members made an astute decision to bring Education to the forefront of our mission,” said Vincenzo Meduri, Founding Artistic Director. “We saw how much these students needed an outlet for mental and emotional wellbeing and with that in mind we decided to build our entire season around educational productions and camps.”
The next feature of the season is Les Misérables Student Edition, based on the historical French novel by Victor Hugo.
“The show centers around Jean Val Jean, a man who was wrongfully condemned to 19 years of imprisonment and his never-ending conflict with Inspector Javert, the man who imprisoned him. We are taken to Paris in the mid-1800s during the student June Rebellion where we meet an array of characters, all searching for change, liberty, and freedom,” said Vincenzo.
The production features 28 middle and high school students from the Salem-Keizer area as well as students and patients from the Boys & Girls Club and Liberty House.
“We have representation from McKay, North, South, West, Sprague, and McNary as well as Blanchet, Walker, Crosshill Christian, Judson, Santiam Christian, and EDGE,” said Vincenzo. “We also have five students who make up our technical team.”
While many of these students have participated in other shows with Enlightened Theatrics, for the majority, this is their first experience in one of their educational productions.
“We rehearse in small socially distanced groups, the staging and blocking is all 6 feet apart, masks are required, and hand sanitizing is done multiple times a day. One thing we are very proud of, with the support of our sponsors, we are able to provide scholarships for students and families who are dealing with financial hardships.”
“We are all going through a very challenging time right now and the arts industry is no exception. I am very humbled that our supporters, sponsors, donors and parents are appreciative of the work we are doing and we look forward to continuing this kind of work for the foreseeable future. Children need an outlet to connect, laugh, socialize, and work toward a common goal. The performing arts provide all of that and more and Enlightened Theatrics is proud to provide that opportunity.”
Following Les Misérables School Edition, Enlightened Theatrics will present Snow White by Janea Dahl, a socially distanced production for grades 1 to 5. There are multiple opportunities for youth to get involved. Auditions take place March 15 with rehearsals through April 1 and the final show on April 16. Learn more at https://enlightenedtheatrics.org/snow-white/
Les Misérables School Edition
When: 7 p.m. February 19-20 and 2 p.m. February 20-21
Cost: $20
Get tickets at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/45653
Limited in-person seating is available for the Saturday and Sunday showings for $15 per person. Safety protocols for the in-person showings include, but are not limited to: reduced theater capacity, groups being placed 6 feet apart and masks required when not eating or drinking. Additionally, hand sanitizer is provided throughout the space and there are sneeze guards placed around the concessions area. For details, contact Enlightened Theatrics at 503-585-3427.
Author: Carlee Wright
Carlee Wright is a community instigator with a grand love for Salem and notably fashionable shoes (Hello, John Fluevog!) who turns waste into wearable art in her "spare" time.
The Instigator
